Shoe rack

ABSTRACT

A shoe rack having at least one rod with an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and along a length of the rod. First and second end frames are connected to the rod by connectors. A plurality of shoe holders are mounted on the rod, the shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib extends. The hole is sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod. Two stops are connected to the base of each shoe holder or connected to one of the frames. The stops are located on opposing sides of the rib and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates. The connector has a projection mating with the rods, and parallel walls spaced apart to fit over a rail mate with.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), ofapplication Ser. No. 60/873,399, filed Dec. 7, 2006, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Shoe racks are available to hold shoes but they are typicallyconstructed so the shoe holders are at a fixed angle and that takes upextra space and makes it harder to place the shoes onto the shoe holdersand to remove the shoes from the shoe holders. Further, most shoe rackshave the shoe holders orientated so that the shoe is placed on theholder with the sole upward, and that makes it easier to get dirt fromthe shoe sole onto other clothing. Further, many shoe racks have theshoe holders orientated so the shoe upper is either not visible or so itis difficult to place the shoe onto the holder with the shoe upper beingvisible. There is thus a need for a shoe holder that allows a shoe to beeasily placed onto the holder and then rotated into a less voluminousposition, with the shoe upper being visible for easy identification andselection of the stored shoes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A shoe rack is provided having at least one rod having an elongated ribextending outward from the rod and extending substantially continuouslyalong substantially the entire length of the rod. The rod connects to aframe having first and second end frames. A plurality of shoe holdersare mounted on the rod, the shoe holders having a base with a holethrough which the rod and rib extends and the hole being sufficientlylarger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a lengthof the rod. The shoe holder is configured to fit inside a shoe to holdit on the shoe rack. There are two stops connected to the base of eachof the plurality of shoe holders or to one of the frames, with the stopsbeing located on opposing sides of the rib and spaced apart a distanceselected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates. Theshoe holder is thus rotated to a first position to place the shoe ontothe shoe holder, and rotated to the second position to store the shoe ina way that advantageously takes up less room, and that ideally displaysthe shoe upper. In the preferred embodiment, the shoe rack has the stopsconnected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders.

Further variations include forming the rod as a cylinder and forming therib with a generally rectangular cross-section. The end frames areoptionally fastened to a wall and connected by only the rods, but theend frames could also be fastened together by members other than therods. Further, the shoe holder preferably has a base and a longitudinalaxis through a distal end of the shoe holder, with the longitudinal axisbeing offset from the center of the rod by the base. Additionally, thestops are preferably located relative to the rib so that the shoe holderhas a first position substantially vertical during use and a secondposition less than about 85° from the vertical during use.

There is also provided a shoe rack kit that includes a plurality of rodseach having an elongated rib extending outward from the rod andsubstantially continuously along substantially the entire length of therod. The kit also includes first and second end frames, each having arecess adapted to receive one end of each rod or other connectingmechanism. The kit further includes a plurality of shoe holders having abase with a hole through which the rod and rib can extend during use.The hole is sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of theshoe holder along a length of the rod. The kit also has two stopsconnected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to oneof the frames, with the stops being located on opposing sides of the ribafter assembly of the kit and during use, and with the stops spacedapart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holderrotates. Preferably, the stops are connected to the base of each of theplurality of shoe holders.

In further variations, the kit has the rods taking the form of acylinder, preferably a cylindrical tube, and the rib has a generallyrectangular cross-section. Moreover, the kit can have end frames thatare adapted to fasten to a wall, or that are adapted to be held togetherby a plurality of structural members having ends adapted to fasten theend frames together. Further, the kit can include a shoe holder with abase and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder,where the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod bythe base. Additionally, the kit preferably includes stops locatedrelative to the rib so that when assembled, the shoe holder has a firstposition substantially vertical during use and a second position lessthan about 85° from the vertical during use. These various features canbe used in various combinations with each other. Further variations,features and embodiments of the shoe rack and connectors used on theshoe rack are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present shoe rack has a shoe holder that allows a shoe to be easilyplaced onto the holder and then rotated into a less voluminous position,with the shoe upper being visible for easy identification and selectionof the stored shoes. These and other features and advantages of thevarious embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood withrespect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbersrefer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rod with shoe holders mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the rod and shoe holder ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view showing a shoe holder and shoe in a first,loading position;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view showing the shoe holder and shoe in a second,storage position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a shoe rack having a plurality ofrods and shoe holders of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an end of the rod of FIG. 1ready to insert into a recess in the shoe holder

FIG. 7 is a plan front view of a shoe holder and a portion of a rod asused in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connector used to fasten a rod to aframe on a shoe rack;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 8 connected to ashoe rack;

FIG. 10 sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the connector ofFIG. 8 connected to a shoe rack;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of one end of a shoe rack butshowing a notched rail;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of one end of a shoe rack showingthe connector of FIG. 1 ready to attach to a notched rail on the shoerack;

FIG. 13 is a partial end view of the shoe rack of FIG. 5 showing theends of the rods in an exploded configuration of a further embodiment ofa connector used to connect the rods to the shoe rack;

FIG. 14 is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a connector;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the connector of FIG. 14,

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the connector of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along section 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 14 fastened toa rail and taken along section 18-18 in FIG. 19;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 14 fastened to arail of a shoe rack;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 14 connected to arod with the rod on the inside of the connector; and

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of he connector of FIG. 14 connected to arod with the connector on the inside of the rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, a shoe rack 10 has opposing end frames12 with at least one rod 14 extending between the frames 12 to hold themtogether and to support the rods. The rods 14 have a plurality of shoeholders 16 connected to each rod, preferably by having the rod passthrough a mating hole or holes 18 in a base 20 of the shoe holder 16.The shoe holder 16 can preferably slide along the rod 14. The shoeholder 16 is elongated and has a distal end 18 configures to fit insidea shoe 24 (FIG. 4) to hold the shoe on the rack 10. Typically, thedistal end 18 fits inside a toe 26 of the shoe 24.

One of the rod 14 and shoe holder 16 has a projection 28, and the otherhas a set of stops 30 arranged so the projection hits the stops to allowthe shoe holder 16 to rotate between the stops. As shown FIGS. 1-2, theprojection 28 comprises a rib 28 extending continuously along the lengthof the rod 14. The stops 30 comprise radially inclined surfacesconnected to the base 20 and located adjacent the hole 18 through thebase of the shoe holder 16. The stops 30 allow the projection 28 andshoe holder 16 to rotate an angle θ. Preferably the hole 18 through thebase 20 of the shoe h older 16 is shaped to define two stops 30.Alternatively, the stops can be formed on the exterior of the hole 18,and in this configuration the stops 30 preferably take the form of anannular collar extending along and around the axis of rotation of therod 14. The annular collar has a portion removed to define the arc ofpermitted rotation of the shoe holder.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the rotating shoe holder 18 allows the shoeholder to incline away from a wall 32 and toward the user, making iteasier to place the shoe 24 onto the shoe holder 16, after which theshoe and holder can be rotated toward the wall. The frames 12 that holdthe rods may be fastened to the wall by nails, screws, hooks, etc.Mounting the rods to the wall, or placing the frame on the floor orother support adjacent the wall, allows the shoe 24 to be more easilyinserted onto the shoe holder 16 so the top 34 of the shoe 24 or theshoe upper 34, faces away from the wall 32, rather than having the shoesole 36 face away from the wall. It's easier to select the shoes 24 whenyou can see the tops 34 or shoe uppers 34, and the user also cannotreadily brush against the sole 36 of the shoe and get dirty when thesole faces the wall. The frame 12 holds the rod 14 so that it is farenough from the wall so the shoe sole does not hit the wall when theshoe is in the upright position. A rod 14 offset from a wall a distanceof about 2-5 inches is believed suitable, with the distance varying withthe thickness of the shoe sole and the height of the shoe's heel. Therods 14 can be vertically spaced above each other if the shoe rack 10 isfastened to a vertical wall or support. Alternatively, the rods 14 canbe horizontally spaced from each other as often occurs in shoe racksresting on the ground and as shown in FIG. 5, but as can also be done ifthe shoe rack is fastened to a wall.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the projection 28 is on the rod 14 with the shoeholders 16 rotating around or relative to the rod. Referring to FIGS.5-6, the shoe holders 16 could be fastened to the rod 14 to rotate withthe rod but not rotate relative to the rod, with the rod fitting intoholes 38 in the end frames 12, and the stops 30 being fastened to theend frame. The projection 28 preferably still extends the length of therod 14 so that the holders 16 can slide along the length of the rod andmaintain the same orientation.

The projection 28 extends substantially continuously along a length ofthe rod 14. The substantially continuous projection or rib 28 allowssmall gaps in the projection, but the gaps must be smaller than thewidth of the base 20 so that the shoe holder 16 can slide along the rodand maintain the desired orientation of the shoe holder 16 relative tothe rod. The projection 28 is in a diametrical plane of the rod in thatit does not spiral around the rod.

The projection 28 or rib 28 also extends substantially continuouslyalong substantially the entire length of the rod. By extendingsubstantially the entire length, the rib need not extend to and/or intothe end frames 12, but should extend close enough to the frames so thata shoe holder 16 cannot slop off the rib and freely rotate between theend of the rib and the frame.

The rod rotates through an arc or angle θ that is advantageously lessthan about 90°, more advantageously less than about 85°, and preferablyabout 45% or less, with a rotation of about 30-45° being preferred. Therod is mounted relative to the frame 12 so that the shoe holder 16 isgenerally vertical and parallel to the wall 32 in a first, storageposition, and is above the horizontal in the second, loading position,and preferably less than about 85° from the vertical. If the shoe holder16 is horizontal or below horizontal, then the shoe tends to slide off,and these angles or inclination, while permissible, are not desirable.Preferably, the shoe holder 16 is angled from 30-60° relative to thewall 32 during use, and thus the rod 14 is orientated relative to frame12 to achieve that orientation. Depending on whether the rod is movingor stationary, the rod orientation will vary. The rod 14 is preferablyorientated so the rib 28 is about 40° from the vertical wall 32, withthe stops 30 spaced apart sufficiently to allow the shoe holder 16 torotate about 40° both directions or on each side of the rib 28.

As seen in FIG. 1, the shoe holder 16 is an elongated portion extendingfrom the base 20 to the distal end 22, and the longitudinal axis of thatportion does not pass through the center of the rod 14. The base 20offsets the longitudinal axis of shoe holder 16 from the center orrotational axis of rod 14, as best seen in FIG. 2. An offset of about⅛-¾inch is believed suitable. The offset is selected to allow a smallerrotation of the rod 14 allow the shoe to be more easily placed onto theholder 16 and to allow rotation to the vertical storage position.

The base 20 is advantageously about 2-4 inches wide, and preferably 2-3inches wide. If the base 20 is too narrow, then the shoe can rotateabout the base and the base can rock or twist relative to the rod. Awider base 20 provides a more stable shoe holder 20. The distal end 22is preferably narrow, especially if the end 22 is desired to fit intothe toe of a shoe. But the end 22 could be wider, depending on the typeand variety of shoes with which the shoe rack 10 is to be used.

The end frames 12 are connected to the rods 14 in various ways.Preferably the frames 12 have recesses that receive the rods, with therecesses being shaped like the rod-cross section. But the recess shapecan vary, and the rods can be fastened to the frames by various knownmeans, such as screws, pins, adhesives, friction fits, caps, brackets,etc. Suitable end connectors for the rods 14 and other structuralmembers of the shoe rack 10 are described in published patentapplication nos. US 2005/0211652 (Ser. No. 11/127,419) and 60/782,214,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The end frames 12 can be fastened to a wall 32 by screws, nails, clips,brackets and other mechanism. The end frames 12 can be fastened togetherby structural members to form a self-supporting frame as in FIG. 5 whichcan rest on a floor or be fastened as a single unit to the wall 32. Thenumber of end frames 12 can vary, with the rods 14 ending at each frame,or extending through one or more frames. Indeed, the rods 14 couldextend beyond an end frame 14 in a cantilever manner, with an enlargedend or pin on the distal end of the cantilevered rod to prevent the shoeholder 22 from sliding off the distal end.

The shoe rack 10 preferably is shipped in a kit and assembled. The kitincludes a plurality of rods 14 each having an elongated rib 28extending outward from the rod as described herein. The kit includes atleast first and second end frames, and may include more. Each end frameoptionally has a recess adapted to receive one end of each rod. Therecess includes holes into and through the frames 12, and includes therecesses in the sockets described in patent application Ser. Nos.11/127,419 and 60/782,214. The kit also includes a plurality of shoeholders 16 each having a base 20 with a hole through which the rod 14and rib 28 can extend during use, as described herein so the holder canslide along the rod. At least one of t\The end frames or preferably eachbase 20, has two stops with the stops 30 being located on opposing sidesof the rib after assembly of the kit and during use. As describedherein, the stops 30 are spaced apart a distance selected to define anarc or angle θ through which the shoe holder rotates. The variouscomponents of the kit can have any of the features or variationsdescribed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, c connector 40 that is believed to be suitablefor use with the shoe rack 10 is disclosed. The connector 40 releasablyfastens one end of rod 14 to a rail 12 of an end frame 46 to form asupport structure such as a shoe rack. The shape of the end frame 46will vary depending on whether it is wall mounted, suspended, or restson the floor. The end frames 46 are preferably held entirely together bya plurality of rods 14 and connectors 40, but other ways of fasteningthe rods to the end frames could be simultaneously used.

The connector 40 is fastened to the distal end of rod 14, preferablywith one connector at each distal end of the rod. The rod 14 can besolid, as a wooden rod, or hollow, as in an extruded aluminum or plasticrod or as with a rolled metal rod. The connector 40 has a couplingmember 48 that fits inside the distal end of a hollow rod 14, or thatfits outside the periphery of the distal end of the rod to couple theconnector to the end of the rod. The coupling member 48 is then fastenedto the rod 14, typically by staking, pinning, screws, snap locks,adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, or other fastening mechanism. Theconnector is preferably integrally molded from a single piece ofplastic.

The connector 40 has an inverted, U-shaped cross section with twoopposing walls 50 a, 50 b, forming the opposing legs of the U-shapedcross-section and a top 52 joining those opposing walls 50 a, 50 b. Thetop 52 abuts the rail 12 to releasably fasten the connector 40 and rod14 to the rail 12. The walls 50 a, 50 b are preferably rectangular inshape, as is the top 58. The rail 12 is preferably rectangular incross-section. If the rail 12 has a different cross-sectional shape,then the configuration of the portion of walls 50 that abut the rail 12is preferably, but optionally altered to conform to the abutting portionof the rail.

The outer or distal wall 50 a is slightly longer than the inner wall 50b which is adjacent the coupling member 48. The outer wall 50 a islonger than the inner wall 50 b so the outer wall can be manuallymanipulated to disengage the protrusion and recess. The outer wall 50 ahas a protrusion 54 or recess 56 which mates with a corresponding recess56 or protrusion 54 on the rail 12 of the end-frame 46 to hold the partsin position relative to each other when the rail is positioned betweenthe two walls 50 a, 50 b with the top 52 of the connector 40 abuttingthe rail. The recess 56 can be a dead end or blind recess, or it cancomprise a hole extending through the rail 12. There are thusadvantageously provided relative positioning means. The outer wall 52 ais preferably, but optionally slightly longer than the abutting portionof the rail 12 so that a person can manually move the distal end of theouter wall 50 a and disengage the protrusion 54 from the recess 56, orthe recess 56 from the protrusion 54, as the case may be. There are thusprovided manual release means.

Referring further to FIGS. 10-11, depending on the structure with whichthe connector 40 is used, the rail 12 can be horizontal, or inclined. Ifthe rail 12 is inclined the rail preferably has a notch 58 that forms agenerally horizontal surface 60 when the rail is assembled for use. Thenotch 58 allows the top 52 to rest against the generally horizontalsurface 60. If the top 58 abuts an inclined surface, the connector 40will tend to slide along that inclined surface, and the retaining forceof the mating protrusion 54 and recess 56 can be overcome if the forceon the rod 14 and connector 40 is sufficiently great. Preferably, butoptionally the surface 60 is slightly inclined toward the interior of herail 12 so that the connector 40 abuts the end of the notch to securelysupport the connector 40. When the top 58 abuts and rests on the surface60 of the notch 58, the protrusion 54 and recess 56 engage to hold theparts in relative position. Thus, whichever of the protrusion 54 andrecess are formed in the rail 12, it must be correctly positionedrelative to the notch 58 at a location corresponding to the protrusion54 or recess 56 in the outer wall 50 a of the connector. The matingprotrusion 54 and recess 56 provide means for positioning the connector40 and rail 12 and preventing relative movement of those parts. There isthus provided recess means for configuring the rail 12 and/or a portionof end frame 46 so the top 52 supports the connector 40 and rod 14 onthe rail 12 and/or end frame 46.

The connector 40 is shown for use with a shoe rack (FIG. 8) but theconnector can be used with other assemblies, including laundry dryingracks, dish racks, towel racks, or other assemblies where elongatedmembers such as rod 14 are releasably fastened to end members such asrail 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, a further embodiment of a connector is shown inwhich a shaft 71 extends from the end frame 12 and has an enlargeddistal end 70. The shaft 71 is preferably shaped, having an upperportion larger than the lower portion to form a snap lock. The enlargedend 70 is preferably cylindrical, like a disk. Attached to the adjacentend of the rod 14 is a female fastener 72 having an opening 73 shaped toreceive the shaft 71 and having an internal recess 74 shaped to receivethe enlarged end 70. The recess 73 optionally forms a snap fit with theshaft 71. The shaft 71 and end 70 could be on the rod, and the femalefastener 72 could be on the end frame 12.

Referring to FIGS. 14-19, a further embodiment of a connector is shownreferred to herein as connector 80. The walls 50 of the prior connector40 could splay if not made of sufficiently strong material at the top52. The connector 80 resolves that difficulty. Connector 80 has spacedapart walls 50 a, 50 b joined by a top wall 52 with a coupling member 48extending from the inner wall 50 b. The walls 50 a, 50 b are spacedapart a distance sufficient to fit on opposing sides of a rail 44, andpreferably to snugly fit on opposing sides.

As best seen in FIGS. 16-18, the connector 40 has two spaced apartretaining members 82 optionally having a slightly enlarged distal end84. The retaining members 82 extend between the walls 50 a, 50 b, andare preferably formed integrally therewith by having the entireconnector 80 molded of plastic, of metal or of other material. Theretaining members 82 are of sufficient length and/or size to prevent thewalls 50 a, 50 b from splaying when a predetermined weight is applied tothe rod 14 (FIG. 12) connected to the coupling member 48, and in thatcapacity effectively act as strengthening or stiffening ribs. Thisanti-splaying function could be achieved by a variety of structures ofdifferent shape which provide additional strength to the connector 40,preferably adjacent to or in connection with the top wall 52, to preventsplaying under operating loads.

The rail 44 has recesses 86 configured to accept the retaining members42. The retaining members 82 can be of various shapes and the recesses86 are configured accordingly to receive the retaining members. Therecesses preferably, but optionally have a smaller opening at the top ofthe recess than at the bottom of the recess so that the enlarged head 84of the retaining member 82 can snap fit into the recess. The recesses 86are spaced apart and result in an intervening projection or latch memberpreferably, but optionally having a larger distal end than the basewhich is interior to the rail 44. The latch 88 preferably extends to thetop level of the rail 44, with a recess 86 on each side. The latch 88and retaining members 82 are preferably of complementary shape so theyinterlock and help retain the connector 80 engaged with the rail 44.Advantageously, but optionally, the latch 88 has a width that is lessthan a length of a retaining member 82. Further, the retaining members82 abut the rail 44 sufficiently to prevent the connector 80 fromsliding down an inclined rail, thus reducing or avoiding the use offlattened areas 60 (FIG. 12). Moreover, the projection or latch 88 isoptional as the retaining members can resiliently engage the abuttingsides of a single recess in the rail 44 which is slightly smaller thanthe configuration of the members 82 to form a resilient engagement tointerlock the parts and to further prevent movement of the connector 40along the length of the rail.

The described rails 44 are rectangular in cross section with the longside of the rectangle vertical in use. But other shapes could be usedfor the rails, including cross-sections of circular, oval, square orother shapes. The spacing between walls 50 a, 50 b alter according tothe shape of the rail 44. Likewise the configuration of the retainingmembers 82 and distal ends 84 also vary according to the cross-sectionalshape of the rail 44. Further, the end rail 44 could comprise an exposededge of a vertical post on the end frame 12, with the edge being exposedby an aperture formed in the post which aperture is sufficiently largeto allow a wall 50 to pass through the aperture and place the edgebetween walls 50 a, 50 b. Moreover, the projection/latch 88 could beomitted so the retaining members 82 engage opposing sides of a commonrecess. Thus, the connector 40 is not limited to use with the particularshoe rack described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 20-21, the connector 40 can connect to the rod 14various ways. In FIG. 20, the rod extends inside the tubular couplingmember 48, and there is optionally a ridge, flange or other stop on theoutside of the rod to limit the relative motion of the rod and connector40. The ridge preferably comprises the projection 28. In FIG. 21, therod 14 is hollow and the connector 40 fits inside the rod 14. In thisembodiment the end of the rod 14 and the projection 14 can abut theconnector 40. In either embodiment, the connector 40 and rod 14 can bepress fit together, or fastened by various mechanisms such as adhesives,pins, staking, threaded connections on the mating surfaces, and variousother ways known in the art or developed hereafter.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein. For example, the rail 12 could comprise the end frame46, or vice versa. The protrusion 54 and recess 56 could be located onthe inner wall 50 b or located on both the inner and outer walls 50 a,50 b. Further, intermediate frames could be used, each frame having arail to which the connector releasably fastens. The various connectors40 comprise means for releasably fastening the rods to the end frames,and various other connectors could be used. Further, the variousfeatures of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or invarying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limitedto the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of theclaims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

1. A shoe rack, comprising at least one rod having an elongated ribextending outward from the rod and substantially continuously alongsubstantially the entire length of the rod; first and second end frames,each connected to the rod; a plurality of shoe holders mounted on therod, the shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rodand rib extends, the hole being sufficiently larger than the rod toallow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod; two stopsconnected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to oneof the frames, the stops being located on opposing sides of the rib andspaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoeholder rotates.
 2. The shoe rack of claim 1, wherein the stops areconnected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders.
 3. Theshoe rack of claim 2, wherein the rod comprises a cylinder and the ribhas a generally rectangular cross-section.
 4. The shoe rack of claim 2,wherein the end frames are fastened to a wall.
 5. The shoe rack of claim2, wherein the end frames are also fastened together by members otherthan the rods.
 6. The shoe rack of claim 1, wherein the shoe holder hasa base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder,with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod bythe base.
 7. The shoe rack of claim 2, wherein the shoe holder has abase and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the show, with thelongitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base.8. The shoe rack of claim 2, wherein the stops are located relative tothe rib so that the shoe holder has a first position substantiallyvertical during use and a second position less than about 85° from thevertical during use.
 9. The shoe rack of claim 1, wherein each end framehas a rail to which the at least one rod is connected, each rail havinga pair of slots at the location of the connection with the rod, andfurther comprising a connector on opposing ends of the at last one rod,the connector having opposing walls spaced apart a distance sufficientto fit over a width of the rail, the opposing walls being joined by tworetaining members that are spaced apart a distance to align with slotsin the rail and that are configured to fit in those slots.
 10. The shoerack of claim 9, wherein at least one of the retaining members has anenlarged distal end that snaps into an enlarged recess at the bottom ofthe slots into which the at least one retaining member is inserted. 11.The shoe rack of claim 10, wherein a tube is integrally molded with oneof the walls, with the tube being sized to receive the rod inside thetube or to fit inside the rod.
 12. The shoe rack of claim 1, where theend frame includes at least one rail, and further comprising means onthe rail and on a connector for releasably cooperating to connect theconnector to the rail, the means including retaining members and a latchmember, the connector being connected to the at least one rod.
 13. Theshoe rack of claim 1, where the end frame includes at least one rail,and further comprising means on the rail and on a connector forreleasably cooperating to prevent movement of the connection along alength of the rail, the means including at least one recess in the rail.14. A shoe rack kit, comprising: a plurality of rods each having anelongated rib extending outward from the rod and substantiallycontinuously along substantially the entire length of the rod; first andsecond end frames, each having a recess adapted to receive one end ofeach rod; a plurality of shoe holders having a base with a hole throughwhich the rod and rib can extend during use, the hole being sufficientlylarger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a lengthof the rod; two stops connected to the base of each of the plurality ofshoe holders or to one of the frames, the stops being located onopposing sides of the rib after assembly of the kit and during use, andspaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoeholder rotates.
 15. The shoe rack kit of claim 14, wherein the stops areconnected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders.
 16. Theshoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein the rods comprise a cylinder and therib has a generally rectangular cross-section.
 17. The shoe rack kit ofclaim 15, wherein the end frames are adapted to fastened to a wall. 18.The shoe rack kit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality ofstructural members having ends adapted to fasten the end framestogether.
 19. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein the shoe holder hasa base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder,with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod bythe base.
 20. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein the stops arelocated relative to the rib so that when assembled, the shoe h older hasa first position substantially vertical during use and a second positionless than about 85° from the vertical during use.
 21. The shoe rack kitof claim 15, wherein one of the rod or end frames contains aninterlocking male projection and the other of the rod or end framescontains a female socket configured to releasably hold the maleprojection and interlock the rod and end frames.
 22. The shoe rack kitof claim 15, comprising a connector on the rods having a U-shapedcross-section with an inner wall adjacent the rod and an outer wall moredistant from the rod than the inner wall, the walls being joined at atop, the outer wall having one of a protrusion or recess mating with theother of a protrusion or recess formed in a portion of the end frame sothe top abuts a generally horizontal portion of the end frame locatedbetween the walls of the connector during use of the rack.
 23. The rackof claim 22, wherein the end racks include a rail containing thegenerally horizontal portion, the rail being inclined and the generallyhorizontal portion forming a portion of a notch, with the other of aprotrusion or recess being formed in the rail at a location mating withthe protrusion or recess of the connector when the connector is placedon the rail with the top abutting the generally horizontal surface. 24.The rack of claim 22, further comprising means for releasably fasteningthe rods to the end frames.
 25. A connector for coupling an elongatedmember to a rail having a thickness with a two spaced-apart recesseshaving extending through the thickness and opening onto an upper edge ofthe rail, comprising: a first and second walls spaced apart a distancecorresponding to the thickness and joined at a top with an open bottomand sides; a coupling member extending outward from an exterior side ofthe first wall, the coupling member being configured to fasten to theelongated member during use; two retaining members extending from thetop toward the open bottom, the members being spaced apart a distanceselected so the retaining members fit into the spaced apart recesses inthe rail and extending between the first and second walls.
 26. Theconnector of claim 24, wherein the coupling member has a cylindricalcross-section and extends perpendicular from the first wall.
 27. Theconnector of claim 24, wherein at least one of the retaining members hasan enlarged distal end.
 28. The connector of claim 24, wherein theretaining members are spaced a distance apart that is about the same asor less than a length of the longest retaining member.